Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing Practices in the Canadian Healthcare System

Scenario 1: Administering Vaccines without Proper Licensure

The assignment is about the argument on the values, ethics, legalities and principles of the nursing practices in context to the canadian healthcare system in conjunction with the government of alberta.

Scenario 1:

What is the issue that highlighted here?

The case highlights the issue of a new lpn showing interest in working in a flu clinic and feeling skilled enough to administer parenteral injection despite being a new graduate nurse. Being a nurse, it is always important to know and understand your scope of practice of your profession to ensure patient safety and delivering care effectively to individuals (ccpnr, 2013). According to the health professions act (as cited in clpna, 2015) it says that because of the significant risk involved in vaccination, specialized education is mandatory for alberta's lpns. A significant competency profile (2019) under section 13(4) outlined that only regulated members, who have completed advanced training in immunizations approved by the council are authorized to perform the restricted activity of administering vaccines to provide immunizations under the following conditions:

(a) The recipient of the immunization is five years of age or older;

(b) The employer of the regulated member has in place protocols respecting immunization;

(c) An authorized practitioner is available for consultation while the restricted activity is on being performed. (clpna, 2019, p. 146)

Although lovely feels competent in giving parenteral medication, she is not ethically and legally qualified to assist in the flu clinic as she does not have the license to perform the restricted activity as required by the council and government organization act under schedule.

Scenario 2:

How to use derogatory language in social media to express the annoyance?

The case emphasizes the issue of using derogatory language in social media to express her annoyance from her shift at work. As stated by the college of licensed practical nurses of alberta (2017), social media is an excellent way to connect with people around the globe, expressing feelings, seeking support, and also a useful source for the educational tool. But despite the advantages, there is also a risk involved that may put nurses into professional consequences due to improper use (clpna, 2017)."Using social media to post inappropriate comments on personal accounts puts the lpn at risk of damaging their professional image, as well as the image of the lpn profession as a whole" (p.2). Thus, they compromised their relationship with their employer and their therapeutic relationship with their client (clpna, 2017). Furthermore, as mentioned in the canadian nurses protective society (2012) if a nurse says a defamatory comment about another person or institution on a social media site, it is considered a breach of the privacy legislation that could lead to a civil action against the nurse. If the nurse is proven guilty by the court, the nurse is required to be fined for damages (cnps, 2012). Though betty did not mention a client's name, posting a derogatory comment related to work in social media is considered professional misconduct since it may constitute conduct that harms the integrity of the profession, and breaches the code of ethics which is why nurses should be mindful to maintain professional boundaries on, and off duty to keep the integrity of the profession and the trust, and confidence of the public (clpna, 2018).

Scenario 2: Inappropriate Use of Social Media

Scenario 3:

What is the conflict in this case?

The case highlights the conflict between the duty to provide care, including blood transfusion versus nurse personal values and beliefs. Nurses have a legal responsibility to provide safe, competent, and ethical care to their client and work within the standard rules and policy of their facility (clpna, 2013). But sometimes nurses encounter situations where they need to balance their professional duty against their values and beliefs while maintaining the quality of care. Some principles are applicable to help the nurse determine the most appropriate action to avoid this conflict. According to the canadian council for practical nurse regulators (2013), as adopted by the clpna, it outlines the ethical responsibility of the lpn, under principle 5:

Responsibility to self: " Disclose to the supervisor/ employer of any potential or existing personal or legal conflict that makes it difficult to participate in an intervention. Inform the appropriate authority in the event of becoming unable to practice safely, competently, and or ethically" (ccpnr, 2013 p.8). Also, if a nurse is conflicted with their duty which may be against their conscience and values, they have to inform their supervisor/employer or persons receiving care so a replacement can be made to meet the client's needs (canadian nurses association, 2017). The lpn should take appropriate action to avoid or minimize harm in a situation where client's safety and well-being are compromised (ccpnr, 2013). Based on the principles and legalities that's mention above, samantha could be honest by explaining her values and beliefs towards administering blood products to her employer/manager so that they will know that her refusal is not because of prejudice or discrimination on a particular person ccpnr, 2013). This way, managers could make an arrangement or provide an alternative way to avoid compromising the safety and comfort of the client (ccpnr, 2013).

Scenario 4:

How to delegate the task?

In this scenario, the issue is about the delegation of a task to an unregulated care provider. Nurses have a professional responsibility to delegate tasks appropriately to other members of the health care team, specifically to hca's. (clpna, 2013). Under the health profession act and government organization act, it is outlined that the decision-making for nurses in the supervision of health care aides is needed to determine what can and cannot be done by the health care aides concerning medication administration. The outlined says, hca could be assigned to give regularly scheduled oral medication as long as the client's status is stable and predictable (clpna, 2013).

Scenario 3: Conflict of Personal Values and Professional Duty

But when regular medicines given have no response on client's conditions, it is the hca responsibility to report the client's concern to the nurses. It is not appropriate for the hca to assess the client and decide to administer prn medication because it requires the knowledge and skills of a nurse to assess the patient. Additionally, the clinical judgment of a nurse is also necessary to decide whether to administer a prn medication (clpna, 2013). Though, under certain conditions, hca can assist with administering prn medications when a client is capable of communicating their need for prn medication to address their specific symptom, in accordance to documented instructions provided with an appropriate level of supervision of a nurse ( ahs, 2016). So, aman cannot delegate a hca to administer prn medication, as this task needs the judgment of a nurse, as required by the council (clpna, 2013). Though sometimes it depends on the rules and policy of some facilities where hcas are allowed to give prn medication with the supervision of a nurse (ahs, 2016).

Scenario 5:

What is represented in this case?

The scenario represents the issue of a nurse mishandling clients' health information, giving unauthorized person access to these files. The laws govern nurses to practice the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information and respect the client's right to privacy; a breach of this law can be considered a legal offense and an unprofessional misconduct (clpna, 2019). Personal and health information should only be collected, used, and disclosed when necessary with the knowledge or consent of the individual. It also must always be stored, shared, and disposed of in a way that keeps it secure and confidential (clpna, 2018). The nurse assigned to mr. Singh's mother failed to comply with this law as she left her client's file on the dashboard of the truck where it is open and visible for anyone to see including her husband. According to clpna, upholding

The client's privacy and keeping their information confidential is necessary to preserve trust within a nurse-client relationship. Section 2.3.1.,under the code of ethics for lpn in canada also says to, " Safeguard the health and personal information by collecting, storing, using and disclosing it in compliance with relevant legislation and employer policies" (clpna, 2018 p. 1). Being an affiliate by a custodian as described in section 2(2) of hia, the nurse is responsible and accountable for protecting the information while it is

In their custody to maintain the nurse-client relations confidential, during and after the client assignment (clpna, 2018). Therefore, the nurse assigned to mr. Singh's mother is accountable to keep her clients' information secure and free from any unauthorized access, but the nurse breached this principle because of negligent of her duty and left her clients' files unattended while her husband is in the vehicle. For this reason, it is a ground for disciplinary action or even dismissal against the nurse (clpna, 2019).